Chris Rodriguez Jr. Proving Everyone Wrong as Commanders' Surprise Weapon
The Washington Commanders' 2025 season has been a rollercoaster so far, sitting 2-2 after four weeks. They've flip-flopped between home wins and road losses, all while fighting through a multitude of injuries in the early part of their schedule.
It's probably fair to say that most fans expected a better start for Washington after reaching the NFC Championship game in 2024, followed by a series of offseason moves to establish Super Bowl hopeful status. There's no shortage of Commanders players who could be
There have also been some bright spots. One of them is a player who wasn't on anybody's radar before the start of the year.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. is stepping up when the Commanders needed him most
The Commanders entered the preseason with Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler set to be a formidable 1-2 punch in the offensive backfield. Those plans quickly changed when the former was
Seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who was the darling of the Commanders' offseason, was expected to step into the RB1 role as a result. Instead,
Rodriguez, a 2023 sixth-round pick who has been cut and placed on Washington's practice squad on several occasions, was a healthy scratch for the first two games of 2025. After Ekeler's injury, he's come to the fore.
The former Kentucky star had his best performance of the season to date in Week 4, accumulating 59 rushing yards on seven carries. This was highlighted by a 48-yard scamper, showcasing the big-play ability he brings to the offense.
Rodriguez had become a forgotten man in Washington following Croskey-Merritt's emergence and found himself squarely on the roster bubble. Had it not been for the Robinson trade, he may very well have been the odd man out. But he turned heads during a strong preseason, leading the team with 118 rushing yards on only 17 carries. More importantly, this momentum has carried over into the regular season.
The more opportunities Rodriguez gets, the more he should continue to solidify his role. He's quickly gone from an afterthought to a player Washington can't afford to leave out of the offensive game plan. It will be fascinating to watch his continued development throughout the season.
Bears’ Week 4 Comeback Victory Over Raiders: Resilience, Yet Questions Remain
Chicago, IL – October 2025
The Chicago Bears staged an impressive comeback in Week 4, rallying from behind to defeat the Las Vegas Raiders 25–24, a victory that showcased both their resilience and potential. However, despite the dramatic win, the Bears’ position in the latest NFL Power Rankings remains unchanged, sitting at No. 19, sparking questions about their long-term viability as a playoff contender.
The game saw the Bears fighting back from a deficit with quarterback Caleb Williams leading the charge. Williams, who has shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season, was instrumental in the victory, but his inconsistent play has left both fans and analysts wondering about his future with the team. The Bears’ offense, which at times appeared unstoppable, struggled with execution, particularly in the first half. A significant improvement in their second-half performance was necessary to seal the victory.
After the game, head coach Ben Johnson expressed both pride and frustration. "When you look at it as a whole, it was just a mess, man," Johnson said. "I’m just not proud of what we put on tape. I think it’s a reflection of myself. I always take it personally." His comments reflect the team's awareness of the challenges they still face in terms of consistency and discipline, even after securing the win.
While the Bears improved their playoff chances to 20% following the win, their Super Bowl odds remain slim at just 1%. This is a reflection of their ongoing struggle to find consistency, especially on the offensive side of the ball. The Bears’ ability to perform well in spurts has been evident, but their inconsistency is something they cannot afford moving forward. As a team with lofty ambitions, this win, while valuable, raises as many questions as it answers.
Rome Odunze, a key contributor on offense, spoke about the team’s potential following the game, stating, “We know we’re capable of more, and we’ve got a long way to go. That win showed our heart and resilience, but we’ve got to clean up the mistakes. If we want to make noise this season, we can’t just show up – we’ve got to be consistent and execute. We’re not done yet.”
The Bears enter their Week 5 bye with a much-needed chance to regroup and address the areas where they are still faltering. Johnson and his coaching staff will be focusing on cleaning up their game, improving their offensive consistency, and ensuring that the team can maintain the high level of play they showed in the second half against the Raiders.
As the Bears prepare for their next stretch of games, the key question remains: can they turn potential into consistency? Their Week 4 comeback victory proved that they have the heart and talent to compete at a high level, but for them to make a legitimate push for the playoffs and beyond, they must learn to perform at that level every week.
The time to build on this momentum is now. For the Bears, the stakes are high, and as they look ahead, there is no time to rest on their laurels. The next few games will be crucial in determining whether the Bears can continue to climb the ranks, or if their inconsistencies will once again hold them back.
